Saying Yes to Up-Sell is Saying No to Being Frugal

Emma and I went to a pretty fancy restaurant to celebrate my wife’s birthday. After we sat down, our waitress pleasantly asked us “Would you like some wine tonight?” We just experienced a form of up-sell.

What is Up-Sell
Up-sell is the act of suggesting a higher priced product or service to a customer who is about to purchase. What we experienced at the restaurant is no different than the cashier at Starbucks asking us to buy a grande sized mocha instead of tall or at McDonald’s when the cashier asked whether we wanted a combo rather than just the sandwich.

What It Means for the Company
These forms of up-sell are very popular because it works. While at the restaurant, almost everyone that she asked ordered wine. If she didn’t ask on the other hand, I bet half of those people will forget to do so.

What It Mean for Customers Like Us
On many levels, up-selling is actually good for customers like us. We are given a choice which helps us realize that there are better options for our purchase. When we are at McDonald’s, we are reminded that we can get that extra drink and fries at half price by buying the combo.

There is however one negative side effect of up-selling because agreeing to buying the more expensive product is not a frugal practice. We all know that we are not too disciplined when it comes to spending. When we are given a choice to buy the better product, chances are we will. At the restaurant, everyone that ordered wine ended up paying more. They ordered it because they wanted it, not necessarily because they can afford it.

When someone gives us a choice for a better product, we might not instantly realize how it affects us long term. Sure we had a great time drinking wine, but what about the mortgage payment due next month?

What We Should Do
Now that we understand what up-selling is, we made a very good first step in keeping our wallets intact.

We routinely make purchasing decisions and if you are like me, sometimes that decision happens on the spot. We wait until we are at the register to figure out which combo we want, we ask for pricing on a product without doing research, and we really only decide what to buy until we see it at the store.

On the other hand, if we already know what we want before we have to decide, it would be much easier to assess the effects of the extra choice when it’s presented to us. Just to illustrate, if we knew that we wanted two sandwiches with water before we go into McDonald’s, we won’t end up with a combo and end up paying more. Who really needed all the extra sweets and oil?

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My favorite thing to say to anybody that tries to upsell me anything is “it’s free right” and when they say “no”…. I say “oh no thanks, I am trying to cut back”. They always laugh, but as we know I am laughing all the way to the bank!!!!

Buyer Beware: There are other up-sell tactics out there (typically by fast-food chains) that everyone should be aware of also. For example, for many in the fast-food industry today, the “meal” price includes the sandwich/burger, and the SMALL drink and SMALL fries. When viewing the menu board, you get the impression that you’re still getting a decently priced meal. However, upon ordering, the first thing they ask is whether you want the medium or large size combo meal. They don’t mention that either of those choices are both up-sized costs…so you have to think fast to say NO, I want the meal size that you have listed for $XX.

With rebates, you need to have a deal with yourself that if you get a rebate item, you have to prepare the rebate mailing once you get home and mail it the next day. No putting it off. Having mailing materials (stamps and envelopes) in the kitchen or readily at hand is vital for getting those rebate coupons sent off.

I don’t blame people for trying to up sell as long as it’s done politely. Generally speaking it’s good for their business and usually the boss is either encouraging or demand that they do it.

The best way I have found to control my impulse to say yes is to have a budget or shopping list in mind before I make the call or walk in the door.

My major weakness: rebates. Sadly I have agreed to add that $50 item that is “free” with the $50 rebate and either not received the rebate or forgotten to mail it in. I’m working on “Just say no to rebates.”

I was just rereading this and realized there is something else I do at the sales desk: When someone is buying a few items and wavering on one because of the total cost, I try to get a sense of which way they are headed in their decision–and I get ahead of it if they are struggling to say no to it by suggesting that I can reshelve it for them if they don’t want it. Hearing me say, “well if you decide you don’t want that now, I ‘d be happy to reshelve it for you” normalizes the experience for them, lets them know that I understand what they are thinking and going through, removing a lot of the stress they are feeling of “not buying it from me,” which I can tell that a lot of people feel. Again, they really don’t want to spend that extra bit of money for the item, so I just reinforce that decision they are making internally/help them out in overcoming the resistance or struggle by offering to reshelve it for them “if you decide not to get it. ” and acting like it’s no problem. I have no studies to back me up, but not only does it feel better to me as a person to do that, I think they are grateful (if only unconsciously) for my making it easier for them to make their decision (the one they WANTED to make in the first place) , and in the future remember the sense of connection and agreement/flow and NO PRESSURE and come back to the store for future purchases when they can again afford it. And we do get a lot of repeat business.

Ah, but you should be prepared for this. After all, they always do it. Just respond by saying “did I ask for medium/large?” and when they say No, then you say, “then why did you ask me? I ordered what I wanted.”

Steve in W Ma – great that there r still a few like you around.. Good job. A good salesperson. Sure you could sell more by only upselling probly, but there are ethical issues to think of. Appreciate your care for the consumer. God bless U.

I sell people down all the time at my job. I do it both up, and down.
For the customers that I perceive are value conscious or cash strapped, I will suggest a less expensive solution for their problem. I know that they will remember me and my business gratefully in the future and believe that I get repeat custom and gratitude from them as well.

for the customer for whom price is not such a consideration, I will offer or suggest add-on purchases and will not mention lower cost alternatives.

It is all a matter of tuning in to who they are and what is important to them. Someone who is rich and visiting town may be a lot more concerned about having a great experience than in getting the “best deal”.

Someone who is financially stressed usually is in the store because they really need what we sell, but probably would appreciate having to lay down less cash. Making clear to them that we are offering them a more economical solution builds customer goodwill.

To tell you the truth, the blanket upsell or aggressive upsell is something I am not interested in doing as a sales person.

The reason the upsell is so effective is that it is positioned right at the point that you are ready to make the purchase. The momentum is on the sales side. Becuase we tend to be goal oriented, we want to get to the end of the transaction, and also we are attracted to the upgraded product with more “value” and additionally prefer to say “yes” to saying “no” when we are asked by a friendly/pleasant person.

You can counter this with the idea that “Thanks. For now I’m going to stick with this (my original purchase) . But I’ll consider that (the upsell) next time.

This keeps your attitude open and feels accepting while deferring the decisionmaking on the upsell to a future (and possibly nonexistent) time while also giving you a more of a chance to rationally consider it in the context of your real overall needs over time, instead of suddenly, at another person’s suggestion or direction, and without real consideration at the register as you are checking out.

I was shopping online yesterday trying to buy for my son a Super Mario Bros Game.. I stumbled upon a site called EZWINGAME…they are running a free contest this week for a free Nintendo… Wanted to know if anyone has heard of this site..and what they think…thanks

“When someone gives us a choice for a better product, we might not instantly realize how it affects us long term. Sure we had a great time drinking wine, but what about the mortgage payment due next month?”

I know this is a stretch and I’m taking way out of context (Courtesy of MSNBC for showing me how to spin things) , but if upgrading to wine at dinner is going to impact your budget that badly, why are you going to dinner in the first place? That dinner and wine could be had from the comfort of your own home with wine for a fraction of the price with the up-sell of a little effort. Or you could just raid the dollar menu at the fast food joints.

Up-selling is an art, and happens in just about every form of marketing. Sometimes, it’s hard to notice or avoid. It’s how a business gets paid a little extra for their efforts.

Buying furniture- are they charging you for delivery and are you buying the protection plan on your new item? Yes, save $50 on delivery and go pick it up and when it breaks, no warranty.

Cars- when your shop asks you to replace your old fuel filter or dirty air filter, scheduled maintenance etc, are you going to say no just because it’s a few extra bucks, or you want your car to run like crap?

Groceries- 2 for deals are the classic up-sell. Buy two and save this (although its more than just one in most circumstances). Can’t hurt to spend an extra $1 and get a second box of hot pockets.

It’s definitely a great tactic by corporations but you can simply turn it down. Just stick to what you really wanna buy, that’s it. I recently went over and made a cash loan for a washing machine I was going to purchase, which included a radio with a cd player. Sales said it was a limited time offer so I kinda went for it. Did I need the radio, up to now I’m not sure.

Today, I experienced the opposite – one of those rare cases of a down-sell.

It made me feel good.

We have domestic service with Dish Network, and my wife wanted to add an international channel.

I called up to add it, and the guy told me I had to get a second satellite dish for $56.

Somehow we got disconnected (turned out to be lucky for me) and I called back and spoke to a woman.

She told me that, instead of paying $56 for a second dish, they now have a “super dish” that can take the place of both the international and domestic dishes. I could get my domestic dish swapped for this one for free.

So, now, instead of having to pay $56 and having 2 dishes wired up together on the side of my house, I’ll pay nothing, and have only one dish to worry about.

Well that’s a con. Needing 2 dishes? Unless the satellites are in way way different orbits absolutely not necessary, which in your case is exactly correct, you didn’t need to get 2 dishes. 1 dish, 2 transponder thingies (don’t know what they are officially called) and you’re ready to go. Don’t even need a bigger dish. Total con job.

The up-sell pressure is so all-pervasive now that just finding a non-combo option at a fast food place is nearly impossible. I also love the way the servers are become totally bewildered when you just ask for a sandwich and a water.

Going “non-combo” ruins their system. I went into Whataburger recently, asked for a grilled chicken sandwich and a water, then sat down. At Whataburger, they’ll bring your food to you…my server showed up with the sandwich, a soda and fries. I pointed out that I hadn’t ordered the soda or the fries and, totally bewildered, she turned and headed back to the counter….I caught up with her and pointed out that she still had my sandwich and could I please have it?

And they totally do not understand that although getting a “combo” is cheaper than ordering everything separately, it’s even less expensive to simply buy less food, period. (And better for your waistline too, LOL.)

I’ve noticed that many Vietnamese and Thai restaurants don’t upsell — in fact they don’t promote their food at all. Perhaps it’s a cultural thing.

Issues of frugality aside, if a waitress suggests an alcoholic beverage, I’m much more likely to try it. I want them to ask. It helps to rationalize the purchase, especially if no one else in my party happens to order alcohol.

My husband an I went out to dinner the other night…I wish we had just splurged on a little wine. But, the waitress told us the specials (no prices of course) and my husband ordered one. I figured, well everything on the menu’s around $15 or $20 the special can’t be that much more…HAHA WRONG…it’s was $35 I almost had a heart attack when our bill came out. But lesson learned…ALWAYS ask the price. Don’t know if this counts as upselling but I felt like a schmuck.

Never ever thought about this technique before. Most of the restaurant practicing it now. Just we don’t realize it. It is another business technique.

I think we can utilize this technique in online businesses too. I’m not sure how it is gonna work on blogging. But, the possibility of applying Up-Sell method in any business is endless. Thanks for giving out this great idea.

I really enjoyed reading this article. However, I don’t really think wine is an example of up-selling. Don’t get me wrong, wine quite definitely ups the bill and is always, always substantially overpriced at a restaurant.

That said, it’s also integral part of what many consider the fine dinning experience. Paired with the right foods, it intensifies the flavor and ambiance of an overall meal.

Obviously, I value fine wine and food, and thus I find it worth the extra money. Just because people may spend more on dinners does not mean they aren’t considering their financial responsibilities. One’s financial needs are mix shoulds (saving for retirement, a house, having an EF) and then value purchases (entertainment, cars, travel, food) which are very subjective.

This points to a larger issue. It’s possible to scrimp on everything and have a massive savings… but when is it worth it to spend?

*sigh* I had to up-sell my butt off working at a local movie theatre. It was part of your job… someone wants a small drink, you try your hardest to make the large irristable. Yes, it is more product for your money but do they really need the exta 6 gallons of bathroom-break-inducing soda? No.

At least most of the time, my customers said no politely because they understand we’re forced to do it. 1 out of 10 though would give me a 5 min lecture on getting what they asked for, and telling me to keep my yap shut and just dish the popcorn. Ah, memories.

Jimmy: I’m glad it helped. There are times when spending more is appropriate and there are times when spending more is a result of a lack of plan. If you are prepared, you will be able to better reduce overspending.

Richard: Having a sales background, I can tell everyone that it definitely works very well. As a consumer, we just need to realize when it is a good choice for us and when it is really just a waste of money.

Penelope: There are times when ordering wine isn’t a bad choice but most of the time it’s really just a chance for us to spend more money.

Togo management is smart. They know that it is an easy way to make more money for them. If anything, their profit margin is much higher for the drink and chips than the actual sandwich.

Great post. I don’t drink and I rarely dine out, so the choice to order wine is never a difficult one for me. But when you do order wine, not only do you end up paying more for it, but you end up tipping more because your final bill is higher.

I worked at Togo’s, a sandwich shop, for a brief time several years ago. We were trained to always ask our customers if they wanted to add the combo – soda and chips – for $1.19. About 99% of the time, my customers responded yes or “why not?” just because I asked.

Great post. This reminds me of Dr. Cialdini’s Weapons of influence. The atmosphere is set, you are there to have a great dinner and everyone is just so nice to you. Good tool for sales and reminder for those being sold.

I just fought off the temptation to succumb to an up-sell of grand proportions about an hour ago.

I was in the mall and browsing engagement rings. After wandering into the first jewelry store, I was approached by a salesman who asked me about my engagement ring budget, which I informed him was no more than $3,500.

Almost instantly, he ran over and grabbed a ring with an $7,995 price tag and told me that I could purchase it for a steal at $4,800. Granted, the ring was absolutely gorgeous and I wanted it badly, but my practical side kicked in and I immediately told him that it was out of my price range.

It’s posts like this that help me to keep my spending / splurging in check. Thanks for everything you do.

My husband and I went together to purchase rings because I know that he is not quite as good at spotting “upselling” as I am. Well to make a long story short, we ended up going to a pawn shop on my suggestion and bought a beautiful practically flawless ring that was only a few hundred dollars but actually is as nice as some of those that are in the 1500 to 3000 range. I just cant see wearing really glamorous jewels when we just don’t have that sort of lifestyle to begin with

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